Haircutting apparatus



Feb. 20, 1951 J. A. ALTMAN 2,542,450

HAIRCUTTING APPARATUS I Filed Oct. 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

FebQZO, 1951 I J. A. ALTMAN 2,542,450

HAIRCUTTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR.

yacofimm BY M Hzuz M Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE HAIRCUTTING APPARATUS- Jacob A. Altman, Los Angeles, Calit.

Application October 27, 19M, Serial No. 782.433-

4 Claims.

This invention. relates to apparatus, the function of which is to enable a person to give himself a.haircut.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide simple apparatus which can be applied to ones head, in such away as to cause the. hairs to: project outwardly from the head to enable their outer portions to be. severed by means of ablade.

Another object of the invention is to construct the apparatus in such a way that when the blade is used, it will be guided in its movements.

Another object of the invention. is. to provide an apparatus of this. kind, which will include an inner member or comb-frame that is adapted when applied to the side of the head, to raise thehairs and project them outwardly; also to provide a guide frame associated with the comb.- frame past. which the hairs will project in such a way as to enable the hairs to: bev severed by a blade guided along, the outer side of the guide frame.

Another object Of the. invention is to provide apparatus. including a frame capable of being applied to ones head, and operated so as tov cause the hairs to project outwardly from the head. in a. position to be cut; and to provide also, means for supporting a cutting blade upon a handle. in such a way as to facilitate its use and co -opera-. tion with such apparatus to cut the hair.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The.- invention consists in the novel parts and combinations of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an efiicient hair cutting apparatus. v

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the following specification. while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is aside elevation illustrating. apparatus embodying my invention as applied to the back of ones head.

Fig. 2 is a section taken about in a vertical plane through. the rear portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, and particularly illustrating the relation Of the comb-frame and guide-frame to each other. This view also illustrates the adjusting means for adjusting the guide-frame toward the comb-frame to regulate the length of the hair being cut. This view also illustrates the preferred embodiment of the handle and cutter blade of my invention. which is shown in the po sition in which it would be held. when cutting the hair projecting outwardly beyond the guide when the comb-frame is applied to ones head.

Fig. 4 is a. side elevation illustrating an embodiment of the invention as applied. to a. comb:- frame having a, handle that enables. it to be sup ported in ones hand when being. applied for a hair-cutting operation.

Fig. 5. is. a vertical section. taken about on the. line. 5-5 of Fig. 4, and further illustrating details of the'invention as. applied to this part of the apparatus. This section passes through the adjusting means, by means. of which the position of the guide-frame can be altered to. suit. the kind of haircut that it is desired to. have.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the handle referred to, broken away; and illustrating the. preferred. type of cutter blade and the relation which it would have when being moved upwardly to cut. the hairs projecting through the guide-frame above it.

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the vice illustrated in. Figs. 2 and 6. I

In. accordance with my invention I provide a comb-frame and a guide-frame, the former of which. is applied to the sideof the head, and itis provided with means projecting. toward the head, for engaging; the hair so that it projects out through the guide. These. two elements-the comb and the guide are disposed in planes that form an acute angle with each other at the lower cutting. de-

1 portion of the device. and, are biased to move away from each other by suitable means.

The lower portions of the comb and guide are preferably united to: each. other by a bar to. which they are rigidly connected, and by their own resiliency the guide and comb arebiased toseparate; from each other. Adjusting means asso" ciated with them enables the guidev to be adjusted toward the comb when adjusted in one direction, and adjusted away from the comb when moved in the other direction.

Referring more particularly to the parts. and especially to Figs. 1 and 2, the. apparatus for cutting the. hair at the back of the head and at the sides immediately back of the ears, preferably includes an upper band, bandeau, or forehead the outside overlapping end 2 of the band tothe 3 adjacent portion 3 of the band. While I may use an ordinary buckle with openings for the buckle tongue, for this purpose, I have in this view, illustrated snap connections including a socket connection 4 on the overlapping end 2, and stud connections 5 on the inner portion of the band, which are disposed close together. I also prefer to provide a neck band or bandeau 6, which is also provided with an adjustable connection as illustrated at I, which may be of the same type as that illustrated on the forehead band, or which may include an adjusting buckle.

The bandeau i does not extend continuously around the head, but is formed in two sections, each side section being attached by a pivot 8 to the end of a curved flexible bow or bar 9, which is of arcuate form so as to fit closely to the head to which it is applied. The bow-shaped bar 9 constitutes the upper member of a comb-frame I (see Fig. 2), which is composed of a plurality of substantially vertical bars II. These bars have some flexibility, and they have a natural curvature that adapts them to fit to the profile of the head. The lower ends of these bars I I constitute parts of the comb-frame, and are connected to a neck bow or bar I2 that has curvature that adapts it to fit snugly to the back or side of ones neck The inner sides of the comb-bars I l are provided with upwardly and inwardly projecting teeth I3, which have a form adapting them to pass under the hairs and lift them when the comb-frameis applied to the head, and then pushed upwardly in a manner which will be explained more fully hereinafter. When the comb-frame is pusned upwardly as described, the hairs will become elevated toward their outer ends as illustrated by the dotted lines I4, and when in this position their outer portions project past a guide frame I5, which guide frame is composed of a plurality of slightly resilient curved bars I6, the lower ends of which are connected to the neck bow I2, and the upper ends of which are attached to an adjusting bow or bar II, which is provided with adjusting means to eo-operate. with-it to enable an adjustment of the position of the frame I to be effected. In this way the haircut being given can be made to suit the requirements at the time. {This adjustment is effected through the agency of a screw or bolt I8, the inner end of Which is rigidly secured to the outer side of the bow 9. The outer portion of this adjusting bolt passes through an enlarged clearance opening IS in the bow I1, and on the outside of this bow I! a washer 2!) is provided, that operates as a seat for the inner end of an adjusting nut 2|. This nut is preferably knurled. By having the opening I9 of oversize for the bolt I8, the bow II can move with freedom inwardly toward the how 9, or outwardly away from the bow 9.

My invention includes a cutting device 22, which preferably includes a small cylindrical handle 23, which may, if desired, have a diameter slightly larger than than of an ordinary pencil. This handle carries a neck 24 at its lower end, that projects laterally from the handle, and is preferably slightly arced in form as shown. At its inner end, as shown in Fig. 2, the neck 24 is provided with clamping means 25 for securinga cutting blade 26 in position. This clamping means is so constructed that when the blade is in position, it will lie in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of the handle 23, and at the same time it projects from the neck in substantially the same direction that the handle 23 extends.

' The bars 33 are constructed sub-' In using the cutting device, it is held in ones hand about in the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2, and the blade is then drawn upwardly so that its cutting edge 2! will slide along the outer sides of the bars I6 and cut off portions of the hair that project through the slots 28 that are formed between the bars iii.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated the how 3 as applied in a position which will leave a space between it and the ear on the adjacent side of the head. This is merely for the purpose of illustration. In

practice, the how 9 may be of sufficient length to extend around substantially all the perimeter of the head that lies between and back of the cars. In this way, the apparatus will be adapted to cut all the hair between the cars at the rear of the head, in one application of it.

In practice, the bar 9 is preferably of substantially angle cross-section so that it resents a substantially horizontal flange 29.. The upper ends of the comb-bars I I preferably extend slighte.

1y beyond the flange 29, and are formed with an outwardly bent tip 30 that projects in an inclined direction away from the periphery of the persons head.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, this portion of the apparatus illustrated in these figures, is adapted to cut the hair at zones on the head that can not be reached by the comb apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This part of the apparatus includes a comb-frame 3|a, including a lower bar 32, which is substantially straight. To the upper edge of this bar 32 the comb-bars 3| attach.

this bar 32. stantially like the guide-bars It already described, but they only have slight curvature. This is also true of the comb-bars 3|. The upper ends of the comb-bars 3| are secured to a substantially flat cross bar 35, and to this cross bar an adjusting de-' vice 36 is attached, which is similar in construc tion to that described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, including an adjusting nut 31 on the projecting threaded end of a bolt 38, attached to the header bar 33a that connects to the guide-bars 33.

From the under side of the cross bar 32, a handle 39 extends downwardly. If desired,-the'-' outer side of this handle may be provide'd'witli an auxiliary handle or arm 40, which normally lies fiat against the outer side of this handle 39.

The lower end of the auxiliary handle 40 is prefer- V ably attached by means of a pivot screw 4| tothe lower end of the handle 39. This pivot screw is attached by threads indicated by the dotted lines 42 to the handle 39, but its inner end 43 is peened over so as to keep the screw 4| from coming out. By reason of the presence of the thread 42, the screw 4| can always be tightened up so that the auxiliary handle 46 will "be' friction-tight on the handle 39. 'Ih's will enable the auxiliary handle 48 to be swung down into a laterally extended position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4; and although this handle 40 is shown projecting toward the front of the persons head, it'may also be swung over into an opposite pos'tion. This adapts this handle erson, or a leftfor use by a right-handed handed person.

In using the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1[ and 2, the hair in the zone at which the combframe is to be applied, should be brushed upwardly at least once with an ordinary brush.

Then the comb-frame should be applied by pressing it against the head and then pushing it upward. By doing this the hairs will be caught on the teeth of the comb members, and they will be supported in an outwardly and upwardly inclined position and extending through the slots 28 between the guide bars 16. The nut 2| should then be adjusted in or out so as to hold the guidebars H5 in a position which will give the hairs the proper length after they have been cut off at the location of the guide-bars by means of the blade 26. The comb-frame should then be secured on the forehead by means of the bandeau I, and at the neck by means of the bandeau 6. If desired, to make sure that all hairs are projecting, they may be brushed upwardly again after the comb-frame has been set as described. The razor blade 21 is then moved upwardly from a low level on the guide-bars 16, such as illustrated in Fig. 2, the handle 22 being grasped in ones hand and held in a substantially vertical plane.

Before using the side cutting apparatus, the comb-frame I0 and its attached parts should be removed. The side comb-frame composed of the bars 3| should then be applied to the point on the head where the hair is to be cut with this device, for example, just before the location of the person's ear, as illustrated in Fig. 4. This comb-frame is then moved upwardly so as to enable its teeth to catch under the hairs and raise them so that they project outwardly past the guide-bars 33 of the guide-frame 34. While this comb is held in one hand, the hairs projecting beyond the guide-bars 33 are cut off by applying the razor blade 26 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 6, which of course is substantially the way it is applied as illustrated in Fig. 2, that is to say, the handle 23 of the razor blade is held in a substantially vertical plane as the blade 26 is drawn upwardly along the outer sides of the guide-bars. If it is more convenient for the person cutting his hair to use the auxiliary handle 40 projecting to one side as illustrated in Fig. 4, this may be done. While Fig. 4 illustrates this auxiliary handle 40 projecting forwardly, it can be secured if desired, projecting toward the back of ones neck instead of toward the front.

Many other embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus to facilitate ones cutting his own hair, the combination of a comb-frame adapted to be applied to ones head, and haVing a plurality of bars to lie against the side of the head, said bars having a plurality of teeth spaced along the same projecting toward the head, adapted to engage the hairs and raise the same, a guide frame having a plurality of upwardly extending guide-bars between which the hairs project outwardly and upwardly, said guide-bars connected to said comb-frame below, and diverging from the same in an upward direction; said frames being biased in a direction to move them apart from each other, and means connecting the two frames for adjusting the guide-bars toward or from the comb-frame; all of said parts co-operating so that the guide-bars can operate as a guide for a cutting blade traveling along the outer sides of said guide-bars.

2. In apparatus to facilitate ones cutting his own hair, the combination of a band adapted to be applied to ones head at about the level of the forehead, comb-means connected with said band extending down below the same, and having projections extending toward the head adapted to raise the outer portions of the hairs when moved upwardly, a plurality of guide-members supported on the comb-means with their lower ends disposed adjacent to the lower portion of said comb-means, and with their upper portions diverging from the upper portion of the combmeans, means connecting the comb means and the guide members for adjusting the upper portion of said guide-members toward or from the comb-means, all of said parts co-operating to enable the hair to be moved into a position pr0 jecting outwardly beyond the guide-members, thereby enabling a blade to be guided on said guide-bars to cut off the outer portions of the hairs, said comb-means including a plurality of comb-bars having a curvature in a substantially vertical plane to adapt the same to lie substantially against the head, and in which said projections are in the form of teeth projecting upwardly and inwardly on the inner side thereof, for engaging the hairs to project 'the same beyond the guide-bars.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a substantially horizontal bar integrally connecting the lower ends of the guide-bars to the said comb-frame, and in which the said adjusting means includes a bolt carried on the comb-frame and projecting outwardly from the upper portion of the comb-frame, with an adjusting nut carried on the thread thereof and engaging the guide frame for effecting the adjustment of the guidebars toward or from the comb-frame.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the guide bars are resilient and in which the adjusting means includes a bolt carried on the comb-frame, and projecting outwardly from the upper portion of the comb-frame with an adjusting nut on the thread of the bolt and engaging the guide-frame for adjusting the guide-bars toward the comb-frame against the resistance due to their resiliency.

' JACOB A. ALTMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES I PATENTS Number Name Date 1,532,570 Basmaison Apr. 7, 1925 1,567,011 Parziale Dec. 22, 1925 1,589,037 Aasen et a1 June 15, 1926 2,018,304 Hayhurst Oct. 22, 1935 2,089,486 Kuhn Aug. 10, 1937 2,250,796 Firsoli July 29, 1941 2,264,343 Solomon Dec. 2, 1941 2,325,246 Halen July 27, 1943 2,347,587 W-ikes Apr. 25, 1944 2,481,403 Di Zazzo Sept. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 560,041 France June 8, 1923 654,477 France Nov. 29, 1928 

